Fashion Understatement: the NEW “Little Black Dress”

It happens to the best of us. Midnight strikes, and you’re sitting on the edge of your bed, staring at your feet. A voice whispers savagely in your ear, “What the hell are you wearing?! You look like Sarah Jessica Parker’s closet threw up on you. Are those, leg warmers? Oh for godsake.” You turn and nobody is there. Yeah, it’s one of those nights.

By Candy

No matter what anyone tells you (even if you tell it to yourself), never believe that a “style icon” is anything but a woman with bad (BAD) style who oozes confidence. That confidence has the power to transform even that puerile pink tutu into something chic and cosmopolitan. Alas, genuine confidence like that is so rare that, more often than not, it is misinterpreted as a blood-curdling scream for attention, when in fact it is a bold determination to play “dress up” well into adulthood.

In New York, there’s simply too many fashion “statements” going on that it hardly leaves an impression on anyone, except perhaps on the fashionista themselves…in the form of a wedgie (American Apparel leotards, anyone?).

So when that moment comes when the clock is ticking and the city beckons…and you are trying to adopt New York style (even though you can’t get rid of those Birkenstocks or Girbaud jeans) there is but one piece of advice I will pass along to you. From the wise words of Coco Chanel, “A style does not go out of style as long as it adapts itself to its period.”

Chanel, the credited inventor of the “little black dress” has never gone out of style. Nonetheless, the notion that style evolves with time remains true. Even the little black dress has evolved.

Today’s little black dress is the big white t-shirt. This look is intended to come across extremely blasé as if to say “I’m so hot, I don’t even have to try.” While the little black dress was last century’s look— elegance; today’s big white tee is this century’s look—just rolled out of bed. In this case, the shirt is supposed to appear like you just rolled out of your boyfriend’s bed (and into his clothes). Beware of making this fashion “understatement” with your boyfriend’s actual undershirts…armpit stains are simply never in style.

Naturally, the man’s undershirt is a look that can be spiced up with absolutely any accessory. An oversized scarf, golden slinky chains, electric blue pumps—anything really, but not all at once, else you may ruin the style born of the woman who once so wisely said, “when finished accessorizing, always take off the last item you put on.” Looking edgy and classy at the same time is what a blank (supersoft cotton) canvas offers you.

If you want to be fashion forward, take a look backward. The present is inspired from the past. With the confidence of Miss Parker, the attitude of Miss Chanel and the ultra-soft material of the Olsen Tee Shirt line (www.elizabethjames.us) you can take on the city like you’re Miss Behavior.